Headache is one of the most common illnesses in Australia, with around 15 per cent of us taking painkillers for a headache at any given time. Because headaches are so common, most people think they are a normal part of life. However, a persistent headache is a sign that something is wrong. The continual use of pain medication to combat headaches is akin to removing the warning light that alerts you to a problem in your car! Medication doesn’t solve your headache, it simply offers a short term solution to dull the pain.

Types

Tension headaches and migraine are the most common forms of headache and cluster headaches are most rare. Many headaches are cervicogenic (from the neck) in origin and can be addressed with physiotherapy. Other types of headache include sinus headache, rebound headache and exertion headache.

Causes

Headaches can result due to a variety of reasons including stiff neck or upperback, poor control of neck muscles, stress, poor posture, accidents, medications, and some environmental factors.

Assessment

Your physiotherapist will carefully analyse potential headache triggers and perform a detailed history, orthopaedic, neurological and spinal examination to determine the cause of your headache. Further diagnostic testing such as X-Ray or MRI may also be required. Upon arriving at a specific diagnosis, your care can begin.

Treatment

Physiotherapy is an extremely effective treatment for headaches. By carefully restoring proper movement to the spinal joints of the neck and relieving muscle tightness physiotherapy can significantly reduce your pain. Your physiotherapist will also tailor an exercise program which may involve activating your deep neck stabilisers for long term prevention of pain.

Please contact us to arrange your comprehensive headache assessment and begin your journey towards living a life without headaches! We look forward to hearing from you!